Chair



Feb. 24, 1 942." c. F. STREIT CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 11, 1939 IN VENT OR.

BY 2 WM WATTORNEYS C. F. STREIT CHAIR Fild Dec. 11, 1939 2, Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY I WM ATT ORNEYj Patented Feb. 24, 1942 CHAIR Carlyle F. Strait, Cincinnati, Ohio Application December 11, 1939, Serial No. 308,525

4 Claims.

This invention relates to chairs and is particularly directed to an improved chair incorporating means providing a surface for writing, eating or any activity requiring a supporting element over the lap of the occupant.

It has been the object of the present inventor to provide a chair construction incorporating a table-like or tray-like element which is supported on the chair in an unobtrusive or concealed position when not in use and which may be placed in position above the lap of the person occupying the chair to provide a convenient surface upon which the person may write, eat, etc. It is a highly desirable that the element be conveniently accessible to the occupant without the necessity of the occupant rising from the chair. For this reason, it is preferably supported, when not in use, beneath the bottom of the chair.

Ithas been the further object of this inventor to provide an improved chair construction, incorporating a table or tray element which may be supported from the arms of thechair and providing a writing surface extending over the tops of the arms. The extension'of the element over the arms increases the available writing surface. Moreover, a surface is provided above the level of the tops of the arms as opposed to one below and between the arms. Due to this arrangement, there is much more freedom of movement onthe writing surface since the chair arms do not pro ject above it to interfere with free movement of the elbows.

This inventor is aware of previous patents directed to chairs embodying elements providing writing surfaces. The present invention is in the nature of an improvement over these patents with respect to the features heretofore defined.

Other objects and certain advantages will be more fully apparent from a description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair showing the tray or table element partly withdrawn from its normal position when not in use.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the tray or table element in position for use.

Figure 3 is a perspective view looking at the bottom of the table element.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 2, illustrating the guide arrangement on the arm.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5'5, Figure 1, illustrating the table element disposed upon its'support rail beneath the chair.

Referring to the drawings, the chair consists of the usual seat I0, back I I, back legs I2, and front legs I3. Arms I4 are provided.

The sides of the seat frame (Figure 5) extend as at I6 below the bottom of the seat and include guide rails [1, attached in position by means of screws I8. These rails extend from the front to the back and consist in each instance of a strip of wood rectangular in cross section.

The table or tray element 9 consists of a flat top element I 9, sides 20 set in from the side edges of the element and rails 2| extending outwardly from the lower edges of the sides 20. Thus observing Figure 4, the arrangement provides outwardly facing channels 22 engageable over the guides I! below the seat. The front edge of the element includes a strip 23 serving as a facing and as a means for grasping the element for withdrawal or insertion. The back edge of the element is cut away as at 24 so as to clear the person in the chair.

Longitudinal slots or grooves 25 are provided in the inner sides of the arms. When the tray element is placed in position of use, the lower rails of the outwardly facing channels slidably engage these grooves. The top extends over the side rails and clears the arm pads 26.

Thus the flat top I9 affords a laterally extended area and clears the arms of the chair. This eliminates the possibility of interference which would occur because of engagement of the occupants arms with the arms of the chair. The top is above the arms of the chair and its entire area is useful as a writing, eating, or playing surface.

In the type of chair to which this invention is applied the person sits up in the chair. Accordingly, the seat should be knee high and the arms must be at a normal height from the seat. If this relationship is disturbed the chair is not comfortable. If the tray itself is at the level of the groove there is not enough knee or leg clearance. The elevated tray of this invention provides ample leg room, is disposed at the right elevation for use as a table, and provides more writing surface.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a chair construction comprising a seat, legs, back, and arms, a tray element including outwardly facing channels, guide rails disposed at each side of the chair directly beneath the seat, said arms including grooves along their inner sides, said guide rails adapted to engage within the outwardly facing channels of the tray element for supporting the tray element in position when not in use, and said grooves in the arms adapted to receive the lower legs of the channels of the tray when the tray is in position of use.

2. In a chair construction comprising a seat,'

legs, back, and arms; a tray element including outwardly facing channels, guide rails disposed at each side of the chair directly beneath the seat, and grooves formed in the arms, said guide rails beneath the seat and grooves in the arms adapted to receive the outwardly facing channels of the tray for supporting the tray element in position not in use and in position of use respectively.

3. In a chair embodying a seat, legs, back, and arms, said seat including skirt portions extending downwardly therefrom at each side thereof, respective guide rails secured to the inner sides of these skirt portions, a tray-like element including outwardly facing channels along its side edges and an embellishing strip across its front edge,

said tray-like element adapted to be slid into position with the channels upon the guide rails where it is concealed except for the embellishing strip, and means in the arms for receiving the channels and thereby supporting the tray-like element above the lap of the occupant.

4. In a chair construction embodying a seat, legs, back, and arms; skirt portions extending downwardly from the seat at each side thereof, guide rails fixed to the inner sides of said skirts, a tray having outwardly facing channels along its sides, said arms having grooves along their 1 inner sides, the lower legs of the channels adapted to he slid into said grooves to support the tray from and above the arms, and said channels adapted to be slid over the guide rails to support the tray underneath the seat.

CARLYLE F. S'I'REI'I'. 

